Whoops! As if one rescue boat, meant to be coming to the aid of other vessels, running aground and calling for rescue wasn't embarrassing enough, the crew sent to its aid in another fast rescue boat ended up on the rocks too. The incident happened in Aberdeen Bay, on the coast of Scotland this week.

The first vessel, Grampian Talisman (right in the picture) drifted into difficulties after its engine cut out during a training exercise in Aberdeen Bay. But the fast rescue boat from North Star Shipping that went to help was also left high and dry when stormy seas forced it on to the rocks just feet away.

The rapidly receding tide then left both boats perched upon the rocks

Coastguards were called to the scene, but were soon stood down as the eight crew on board the two boats were able to simply step ashore. Engineers considered lifting the craft off the rocks after the incident on Thursday, but decided to wait for high tide to float them back to the harbour.

Both have now been recovered. The boats both belong to North Star Shipping, which provides support – including emergency rescues – to offshore businesses.

As a leisure sailor who may one day need rescuing, it doesn't make you feel very safe, does it! However the company says it has saved more than 70 lives in the North Sea over the years.

A spokesman for the firm had the last word yesterday: 'Engine failures unfortunately occur, but the important thing here is that our crew members involved are all uninjured, having handled the situation calmly, effectively and professionally.'